auditory and visual hallucinations, she explains
casually, as if describing the weather
of California in July. four months into the semester
and i’ve just learned these familiar fiends
have always been present. …
what they think is appropriate: to treat Black hair
like a pregnant woman’s belly, question if
larger nostrils enhance breathing, probe my legs
for extra calf muscles under skin our teacher said
doesn’t bruise because she can’t see
the bloodscreams beneath. …
i’ve only been called “nigger” once by a student— at least
in my presence— and that under his breath. i wonder
if i’m doing something wrong, if it’s my fault it happened
only that one time. …
First published in The Radical Teacher Vol 112 (2018)
sitting in a colleague’s class, i listened
to high school students compare a Christian baker
denying wedding cakes to same sex couples,
to Black men asked to perform a song and dance
for the KKK….
First published in Rise Up Review (Summer 2019)